<p>What are some PRIVATE colleges or universities in your state/region that you would feel comfortable recommending to an "average" college-track high school student? </p>
<p>I'll define "average" since there are wildly varying interpretations of that word on CC. This student carries an 86 average (a "B" or 3.0 GPA) and has SAT I scores of: 540 M, 580 V, 550 W. The student has taken/will take 4 APs (World History, USH, Bio and Stats). Class rank right now is roughly 80/425. Has played varsity tennis for 3 years. Officer in two clubs. This student is a pretty hard worker, active participant in classroom discussion and should get strong teacher recs.</p>
<p>Oh, there are so many, but for large Us, applying with a certain major (or particular school within the U) can make a difference between acceptance and rejection (ie: Syracuse might be a high match, but not Newhouse). Does the student want a large or small school? Any particular “must haves” or does the student prefer anything specifically (ie: warm weather, region of the country, a few minutes from the ski slopes or beach, freshman can or cannot have a car)?</p>
<p>Northeastmom – The student is open to either a private LAC or university almost anywhere in the country. This student is also completely undecided about a major. What I am looking for from CC posters are names of schools in their area which they are very familiar with and which they would personally recommend to their own son or daughter if they had an academic background similar to the one I described.</p>
<p>I know that there are hundreds of possibilities out there, but I am looking for insight from all you CC experts based on your PERSONAL familiarity with specific schools (I’m already very familiar with CTCL, Colleges of Distinction, etc.)</p>
<p>Okay, but that would depend upon the individual student tastes and wants. Still this thread looks interesting. I would like to see “reasons” for the recommendations, and perhaps 3 most positives and 3 most negative aspects of that school would be interesting to read about.</p>
<p>I don’t view your child as average at all. But maybe that’s my hang up. An 86 average, a really good class rank, 4 AP’s. If that’s average, I can be more optimistic about the future of our country! I’m no expert but you might want to check out Temple, Drexel, Univ of Vermont, Univ of Rhode Island, Univ North Carolina Wilmington, U Mass Amherst.</p>
<p>Vitrac – It’s not my kid. One daughter’s already at college and the other just started high school so I don’t have to deal with the college search agin for a few years. The student in question prefers to attend a private college or university so Drexel is the only one that applies. Would you recommend Drexel for a kid who doesn’t yet know what they want to major in? Is an 1120/1670 SAT in Drexel’s range?</p>
<p>stradmom – Are you personally familiar with McDaniel? Would you recommend this school to your own child based on what you know of it? If so, why?</p>
<p>I only know colleges on the east coast really. I hope this helps!</p>
<p>For Liberal Art Colleges:
-Hobart and William Smith ¶
-Stonehill (MA)
-Champlain (VT)
-Assumption College (MA)
-Regis College (MA)
-Warren WIlson College (NC)
-Hampshire College (MA)</p>
<p>For Universities:
-Suffolk University (MA)
-Northeastern University (MA)
-Boston University (MA)
-Ithaca College (NY)
-Univeristy of Conneticut
-Penn State
-University of New Hampshire
-Salve Regina (RI)
-Drew University (NJ)
-Fairfield University (CT)
-Catholic University of America (DC)</p>
<p>Tech School:
-Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
-Wentworth Institute of Technology (MA)
-Worchester Polytechnical Institute (MA)</p>
<p>University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Pretty campus, about 10 minutes from downtown but in an upscale nice neighborhood. Students and professors are very friendly. My D is taking some classes there and finding them too easy but she is kind of an over-achiever type. They are starting a football team next year and just built a new stadium. They give some financial aid but aren’t really known for giving lots. They also have athletic scholarships so could check into tennis (I’m not too familiar with their tennis team.) It’s Catholic and owned by the Sisters of Charity but we aren’t Catholic and have never felt out of place there. The Sisters are mostly Irish and very nice. </p>
<p>Trinity University is only about a 1/2 mile away from UIW but I think it would be a reach given the SAT scores. </p>
<p>Another possiblity is Texas Lutheran. It’s small, located in a small town about 45 minutes drive from San Antonio. They have sports and are known for their choir. My dad went there back in the 1950’s and he still goes to reunions and gets together with his college friends. It is Lutheran but we (I’m Lutheran) are very welcoming towards all faiths. They have a scholarship estimator on their website where you can type in your GPA and SAT and it will say what scholarship amount you probably qualify for.</p>
<p>I think you need to define what you mean in terms of financial aid being a concern. You are not looking at schools that meet need with this student so should we be sugesting low tuition schools or are you open to all ranges of cost?</p>
<p>In this economy, I think families need to come up with a number they are comfortable paying before making the list.</p>
<p>How about the University of Scranton? It’s a very nice private school that has selective, but not ridiculous admission. Well I guess it’s not selective for CC but you couldn’t get in with a 2.0 and a 1000/1600 on the SAT. However a 3.0 and 1100 are a good match. Look into Ithaca College too. That’s a great school.</p>
<p>WOW! My rank is 69. My gpa is like a 86, and I have played tennis for 3 years!</p>
<p>I’m also looking at good, average-type private universities. Just that I want the coastal ones! thank you for starting this thread, for it will help me out too.</p>
<p>hudson, my familiarity only extends to publicly available info, but my D was seriously considering McDaniel at one point. Hobart and William Smith also made her short list, but both have now disappeared because she’s looking for schools with stronger music programs.</p>
<p>morrismm – The student will apply to a SUNY or two as a financial safety but would prefer not to go to a public school. The family in question is able to take on $20,000+ but would prefer not to pay full freight.</p>